Projects! Race Car

Doesn't this look great?!?!?  Look how smooth and clean the front end is!  It's gonna go FAST!

 Chris has been busy working on the race car.  Cutting off parts; moving them; adding them back....

 Frame rail bent in

 See the changed frame rail in this pic:

 Gas tank - moved!

Busy busy busy!

Projects! Kitchen!

We are changing our counter tops.  Before:

 Losing this tile back splash & replacing it with a Granite back splash

 Chris couldn't wait to get that tile off!!

 And then he painted (it was on my to do list for the last 2 years - oops!)  Our walls used to be darker (see above).  We painted them a dark cream.  It's kind of blah, but really makes the kitchen much brighter.  Chris painted the opposite wall (from where he is standing) a darker brown again.  (no picture)

 The counter top guy came & measured today.  Next week, they install!  New sink, faucet, and counter tops - Yay!

Projects! Back Yard

So, last March, we decided to clear out some weeds & pump up our back yard.  We have an Easement in our backyard, which limits what we can do.  But we are building a rock wall around the 'easement/pond', and adding dirt to build up the yard.  It's always been hard to mow or enjoy the back yard because it slopes so much.  Not any more!!

The equipment!

 Starting to build the wall

 Looking good!

 And it's filled!

 But only the front part - still the rest (around the tree) to go

 Now, it's really getting there!

 Didn't they do a great job on the wall?!?  We still need some more fill; then we'll add loom this spring. Right now everything is covered with white stuff (Yuck, yuck, yuck).  So nothing has really happened in a couple weeks.  But we are SO happy with what has already been done!  Yay!

Back to the Grind!

Time for serious Ironman Training to begin!  We are heading back to Houston in May (not Lake Placid - timing doesn't work this year).  Chris did so well in the heat & we both really liked the IM Texas course.

So, it's back to 15-20 hours of workouts every week.  This week just ended & it looked like this:

Monday - strength
Tuesday - 2 hour bike & short transition run; 1 hour swim
Wednesday - 1 hour run & strength
Thursday - 2 hour bike; 1 hour swim
Friday - 1 hour bike & 1 hour run
Saturday - 4 hour bike & short transition run
Sunday - 1 1/2 hour bike, then 1 1/2 hour run

Still Missed a swim & a strength - oops.   And this is just the beginning, sheesh!  Sometimes I get tired of training so much - but then again - I don't know what I would do without it!  It's the one hobby that has defined me.  No other enjoyment/hobby of mine makes me feel as good about myself.

Quick trip to Florida!

Weekend trip to Florida in January - oh yes!  72 & cloudy never felt so good!

Sunshine Skyway bridge - I haven't been over this bridge in ages!

 Hanging out in St Armands Circle; Longboat Key; Lido Beach - all good!  Again, I don't think I've been here since I was 12!

 We did some running on Lido Beach & on Siesta Key beach too!  Had dinner with my cousins - who again, I haven't seen in ages!  2007 or 2008...
This is Dan, Cathy, me, Jill, Steve.  Thanks to Chris for taking the picture!

 Here's the picture again, without the flash :)

We also met up with Chris' Mom & husband, Tony.  They had a house full of guests, so we only saw them for a nice yummy Sunday dinner.  Their home is a  true Florida getaway - it's no wonder they always have a house full of friends & family visiting!

Race car time!

It's winter time, so good time for garage projects! #1 on the list this winter - finish the race car.

Chris has been busy - making some sheet metal for a rear fire wall

He still has to replumb the gas tank & switch out the front axel, but he's making progress!!

New Years' Storm

Happy 2014!  Farmers Almanac has been right so far - cold winter.  Yuck!

We got about 10 inches of snow on Thursday, Jan. 2nd - not too bad.  It's light & fluffy, since it was so cold.  It would be nice if this was our only snowstorm of the season - but I have my doubts :)

 Bolts is enjoying it though - he bounds & bounds through it.

 Then he crashes - on top of me, no less.  The Bean just crashes for any reason- she always sleeps b/c she is a lazy & fat cat.

 Bolts close up :)

 Bean close up :)